Tube-dispatch system and the like



March 24, 1931. w HARLANDT 1,797,864

TUBE DISPATCH SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 11, 1928 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J'nvenfor w. HARLANDT 1,797,864

TUBE DISPATCH SYSTEM AND THE LIKE March 24, 1931.

Filed Oct. 11, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .772 vemfar @M, W: My

After eyS March 24, 1931- w'. HARLANDT 1,797,864

TUBE DISPATCH SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 11, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 24, 1931. w. HARLANDT 1,797,864

TUBE DISPATCH SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 11, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 J zvenfar u tfbrneys March 24, 1931. w HARLANDT 1,797,864

- TUBE DISPATCH SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 11, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jrzven far Patented Mar. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFrlc WALTHER HABLANDT, F ALTGLIENICKE, NEAR BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO DEUTSCHE TELEPHONWERKE UND KABELINDUSTRIE AKTIENGESELLSGHAFT, 0F

BERLIN, GERMANY A CORPORATION TUBE-DISPATCH SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Application filed October 11, 1928, Serial No. 311,751, and in Germany October 11, 1927.

Devices are known by which a vehicle durtions in order to cause the travelling box to displace switches in a predetermined manner as may be required to direct the.box over its intended course. The box, or niore generally the vehicle, is fitted either with stops which are arranged at a predetermined distance apart and, at the point of the track in question, co-operate with stops or electric contacts arranged at the same distance apart, or the boxes themselves carry directly contact members adapted to come into contact with contact members on the point of the track. In both cases the Veh'lCle has its speed reduced by the mechanical resistance of the stops or contact members with the result that a tubular post box may be directly jammed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device in which such a reduction does not takeplace. The vehicle for this purpose is provided with layers of magnetically effective material (for example iron) which are arranged at definite relative intervals. At the points of the track at which the automatic operation is adapted to take place magnet fields are so provided on the track section that they have the same relative spacing as the layers on the vehicle and on the passage of the vehicle are varied so that cur rents are induced in the windings mounted on the magnet cores.

At each track point where an operation is to be produced there are provided at least two magnetic fields the induced currents of which co-operate in order to produce the de sired action at the track point. A particular vehicle can therefore produce such an action only at that track point of which the magnet fields have the same spacing apart as the layers on the vehicle.

At very high speeds of travel, as occur to example in the case of modern tubular post operation the influencing of the magnetic field by the passing box is only of very short duration so that the operation becomes uncertain. This is particularly the case when dealing with operations of the receiver which are intended for example for producing movement of switch points, where it is necessary for the vehicle to influence the receiver for a relatively long period of time. In this case the number of magnet fields which are influenced by the same vehicle are increased so that the same action is transmitted a number of times in 'uick succession to the receiver. The magnet eld pairs can for this purpose be interengaged with one another and further overlap one another so that the fields have a shorter spacing apart than the layers on the vehicle. I

There are various possibilities for the cooperation of the magnet fields. For example each induced winding may be short circuited across a relay and the armatures of all the relays may be placed in series in a local circuit containing av common relay. Or the induced currents may be conducted to a relay without mass, a cathode tube. Or the windings which are induced simultaneously can be placed directly in series in the circuit of the last mentioned relay so that the induced voltages of the windings are added together at the terminals of the relay.

In this case. for the purpose of preventing the induced voltage of one winding being sufiicient to energize the relay. in the event of accidental higher speed of the box, an additional winding is provided on each magnet core and these windings are all' arranged in series in a common short circuit. Instead of adding together the induction currents of the magnet windings these may be multiplied together by using them for energizing magnet fields. suitably arranged apart and producing a rotary field.

In a general manner the magnet field may be formed either of permanent magnets or of induced in the windings are first conducted to the conductor circuits of cathode tubes in such a manner that the cathode tubes act at the same time as amplifiers.

In order to enable the boxes to act as required first on one and then on another'section pointthe layers are made adjustable as is well known.

The cores of the magnet fields are preferably so constructed that they engage the travelling tube with their poles from two sides.

In order to enable the magnet fields to be placed close together and att-he same time to ensure the individual action of each. the pole pieces of the magnet cores are lined on both sides with dia-magnetic material (bismuth) or with a good conducting material, for example copper, whereby the magnetic field, in the latter case by the formation of eddy currents in the copper, is limited and its action is separated from the adjacent field.

The track tube or guideway, which is mostly made of steel, must at the points where the magnet fields are provided, consist of nonmagnetizable material (brass, glass and so forth). At this point it is preferably of reduced diameter in order to reduce the magnetic resistance which is formed by the air gaps between the pole pieces and the layers of the box. In order to reduce this resistance still further soft iron insertions are in-. serted into the track \llbQ at the point at which the pole pieces of the magnets are lo-.

cated. These insertions must not form a closed ring as otherwise a magnetic short circuit would be formed between the magnet poles which would prevent the action of the box layers on the magnet field.

In the accompanying drawings are illustrated various forms of construction in ac cordance with the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal and crosssections respectively, showing a point of a tubular post section provided with three magnetfields.

Figure 3 is an exterior view illustrating a. similar point provided with two magnet fields and a cathode tube.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing a point having a different circuit arrangement of the cathode tube.

Figure 5 is a corresponding view illustrating a similar point with a number of cathode tubes.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a similar point with a number ofcooperating pairs of magnet fields in difi'erentarrangements.

Figures 8 and 9 show a cross-section and side elevation of the travelling pipe at the point of a magnet field.

Figures 10 to 12 are elevations showing the adding and multiplying circuits of the mag net fields.

Figures 13 to 23 are diagrammatic views illustrating the economiz'ing circuit for elec tro-magnetic fields. 7

Figures 24 and 25 show a side elevation and cross section of a travelling pipe insertion with soft iron insertions.

In Figure 1 is illustrated the moment at which the box or carrier D traveling in the tube F in the direction of the arrow arrives at the point at which it reaches and influences the system consisting of'three magnet fields S S S For this purpose the box or carrier is provided with three rings 6 set apart at the distances a (1 These rings e'are arranged at the same distances apart as the pole pieces m of the three magnets which for example consist of permanent magnets. ure 2 shows a cross section of the tube from which theshape of a magnet will be seen. Between the two pole pieces or the magnet, which embrace the track tube or'guideway almost completely from both sides there is formed a magnet field in which the section of the tube is located. lhe tube consists, at least at this point, of-brass, so that its wall does not form ainagnetic short circuit.

As soon as the ring e of the passing box enters the space between the pole pieces the magnetic field is temporarily changed namely strengthened, as the ring consists of iron. (If the ring consisted of die-magnetic material the field would be weakened, which is also useful.) Consequently a temporary current is induced in the winding 8 (Figure 2). This current as shown in Figure l is sup plied to a relay R R or R Each relay winding. is connected directly, i. e. without the insertion of a source of current, to the magnet winding appertaining thereto. As the armature contacts of the three relays are located in series in the circuit or a third relay N this is energized and closes at its armature the local circuit U in which for example is included the operating magnet for a switch.

If one of the rings 8 is omitted or is arranged at a different distance on the box only two of the systems 8; S S would be induced simultaneously and therefore only two of the relay armatures would be attracted so that the relay N would not be energized. A box difierent from the box B would therefore not operate a switch at this point.

In Figure 3 the section point at which the local circuit Q is to be closed is only provided with two magnet systems S S The simultaneously induced currents are in this case not conducted to separate relays but to the conductor circuits of a cathode tube V in the plate circuit of which is located the relay N which controls the local circuit U.

The relay N is bridged for known reasons by a condenser. The current induced in the system S is supplied to the grid circuit or the cathode tube ,V whilst the current induced in the system S is supplied to the anode cir- Figcuit of the same cathode tube. Only when both currents influence simultaneously the cathode tube V will a current flow through the relay N so that only in this case is the local circuit 0 closed. A box on which the iron rings 6 are not arranged at the same distance apart as the pole pieces 91. of the magnets S S cannot therefore actuate a-switch or a signal which is dependent on the circuit 0.

' In Figure 4 the relay N is again arranged in the anode circuit -of a cathode tube V for the purpose of cont-rolling the local circuit 0, but in this case the windings of the systems S S are both arranged in the grid circuit of the tube V, which for this purpose is pro vided with two grids.

a to 5 have the advantage that the series ,con-.

In Figure 5 the winding of one system S is connected to the gridcircuit of the first cathode tube V the Winding of the second system S with theanode circuit of a second cathode tube V and both tubes are coupled together by the transformer U as amplification stages. The relay 'N, which controls the local circuit 0 is located in the anode circuit I 25 of a third tube V which is coupled to thetube V in such a manner by a transformer U that a further stage of amplification is formed.

The arrangements according to Figures 3 tacts on the armatures of the relays R (Figure 1), which are readily exposed to disturbof travel ofthe box.

ances, are eliminated and the relays vare The amplificationv v rendered unnecessary,

arrangement accordlng to Figure 5 1s particularly suitable in caseswhere the current 1nduced in" the separate systems S is extremely.

weak, for example-by reason of a high speed Another arrangement for the same purpose as last described is illustrated in Figure 6. The box B travelling in the tube F in the direction of the arrow is provided with two iron rings e separated by the distance a. Adjacent-the travelling pipe are arranged in series v for example four permanent magnets with their poles in the same direction.

The windings a of the magnet fields are connected in pairs alternately to the conductors 1, 2 and 3, 4 and by means of these to the circuits of a cathode tube V in such a. manner that the conductors 1, 2 close the anode circuit, in which the relay A is located, whilst the conductors 3, 4 close the grid circuit. a g

When the relay A attracts its armature'it switches in' the relay N. The latter-then closes a locking circuit containing the armature contact 1 and the tube contact k. The relay N further closes, by its armature contact 2, the circuit 0 which contains the oper- 1 the box I) reaches the tube contact is, whereupon the locking circuit of the relay N is interrupted.

' GB indicates the grid battery, I-IB the heating battery. Inthe heating-circuit of the tube V is included a relay C which is adapted to switch in a reserve tube V1 when the tube V is rendered inoperative by the breakage of the filament. The resistance 'w serves for balancing the relay C for the heating circuit of the tube V The battery voltages are so selected that normally no current passes through the tube.

'The arrangement operates in the following manner. When the box D reaches the position in which its two iron'rings e are each opposite a magnet then by the simultaneous induction of the windings s of both magnets the voltage at the electrodes of the tube V is increased in such a manner that a current now passes through the tube which causes the relay A to respond. This produces an energifield are simultaneously energized by the two iron rings which produces the same action as just described. On further movement ofthe box thewindings s of the third and fourth magnet field are simultaneously energized and the same action is again obtained.

By the multiple action of the w iron rings on the entire magnet field group there is cffected a multiple energization of'the relay A so'that the latter will attract its armature with certainty.

be provided in a similar manner to that shown in Figure 6 and connected to the conductors 1, 2 and 3, 4..

Figure 7 shows another arrangement of the v At a higher speed of movement'of the box further magnet fields would magnetic fields in which betweeirtwo fields,

which are influenced simultaneously by'the iron rings of the box, there is always located a non-influenced field. In this manner there. is obtained a shorter constructional length of the entire magnetic field group. The mag- 'netic fields are again connected alternately to the conductors 1, 2. and 3, 4.

Figures 8 and9 show in section the track 7 tube F and, the construction of a separate magnet field consisting of the permanent horseshoe-magnetsm' of which the two poles surround the track tube for one-half on 0ne--12 r side thereof. The pole of the permanent magnet m is lined on both sides with diamagnetic material 6 for the reasons previously stated. The track tube F consisting in the usual manner of steel,'is interrupted at the point where the magnetfield is located and replaced by anintermediate member F of brass. Instead of adding the simultaneously inuced currents on relay armatures, as in'Fig-,

ment.

ure 1, or in tube circuits, as in Figures 3 to 6, they may be directly addedin a relay winding which is included in series with the induced windings. Figure shows such an arrangee The windings of the magnet systems S and S are arrangedin series together and with the winding of a relay A in a short closed circuit. The relay A controls the local circuit 0. I

In Figure 11 there is provided on each magnet core an additional winding G which windings are connected together in the form of a common short circuit. This ensures a security that. in the event of accidental higher speed of the box, the simple current induced in S or S acquires astrength which causes the relay A to respond. The short circuit of the windings G is in this case caused to perform work whereas in the case of the simultaneous induction of the two win-dings S b it remains ineflective. 1

Figure 12 shows an arrangement in which an amplification of the simultaneously induced currents takes place. i The winding S of the permanent magnet, m is connected by conductors 1, 2 to the stationary coils h of a dynamometric rotary field arrangement, whereas the winding S of the permanent magnet m is connected by the conductors 3, 4 to the movable coil k of this arrangement which instead of a pointer carries a contact arm 0?. This contact arm closes at K the circuit ct a re av A when the coil k is moved from its position of rest. The relay It in turn controls the circuit 0 of the switch magnet not shown. When the first iron ring of the box, enter ing for example at the left-hand end, passes through the field of m only the coil h receives current, and the coil in remains at rest. When the same ring of the box disappearing to the right passes through the field of m 1 only the coil in receives current.

It now also remains at rest. In between there is a moment at which the first iron ring of the box'passes through the field m simultaneously as the second iron ring passes through the field of m At this moment.

both coils h k carry current and in consequence of the multiplying field action a powerful movement of the coil h takes place which consequently closes the contact K and switches in the relay A. .As the coil in by reason of its return spring and the like immediately again returns into the position of rest suitable retarding means,.which main tain the switching action of the contact K for a suificiently lon time, are unnecessary either on the relay itself or in the local circuit 0.

A box of which the iron rings are not arranged at the same distance apart as the poles of the magnets m m has no effect on the instrument H as simultaneous inductions never occur 1n the windings S S If the magnets m m are electro magnets, the energizing coil form a circuit separate from the induction coils S In a similar manner the coils 71. 71. of the rotary field system may be superimposed on continuous cur rent conducting coils and co-operate with these in that by reason of the latter coils they disturb the position of rest of the contact arm al. In a general manner it is possible to control an opening contact instead of a closing contact K.

By reason of the multiplying action of the currents induced in S and S the arrange- I ment responds at low speeds of travel, and

is therefore more sensitive than if each current was supplied separately to a relay.

Figures 13 to 23 sh0w circuits of induced windings for arrangements in which they are to serve simultaneously for energizing the magnet systems S S which are formed by electro-magnets instead of by permanent magnets.

Iii-Figure 13 the energizing windings of the systems S S are arranged in parallel a grid battery I) on the grid 9' of'the tube and a relay A, controlling the local circuit 0, in front of the anode a of the tube. The conductors I, II, III of the tube are as shown connected to the windingsof the electro-magnets S S Figure 14 shows the circuit more diagrammatically. It will be seen that the energizing windings of the electro-magnets S SQWl'llCll are arranged in parallel in the circuit of the battery B, are connected to the anode and the grid of the tube B on the principle of the economizing transformer.

Figures '15 and 16 show another possible economizing circuit which will, be readily understood without further explanation. This only differs from Figures 13 and 14 in that the electro-magnets are supplied in series, instead of in parallel, from the battery B 1 Figures 17 and 18. show an economizing circuit with a transforming-up arrangement; Half of the electro-magnet windings are arranged in parallel and connected to the battery B. Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a similar arrangement but with the halves of the electro-magnet windings arranged in series in the battery circuit. 7

The circuit according to Figures 21 and 22 will be understood from Figures'13-and 14 when the choke coils D are included and the conductors I, II, III are arranged between.

these coils and the electro-magnets; 1 V

Figure 23 shows the circuit according to Figure 13 in combination "with choke-coil instrument H of which the contact arm, provided instead of a pointer closes the contact K when the power action normally present between the stationary coil h and the movable coil k is varied by the occurrence of the voltages induced in S 8,.

If for the reasons above stated there is insorted in the track tube which otherwise consists of steel, a reduced brass tube at the point of the magnet system, the connect-ion of the brass tube to the steel tube is produced by a gradual enlarging of the brass tube.

The internal diameter of the brass tube can be so reduced that the box can still just pass therethrough. Figure 24 shows such an arrangement in which, for the reason above stated there are fitted into the brass tube, at the point at which the magnet poles are inserted, soft iron insertions in such a manner gaps, is only closed by iron, namely, by these insertions and the iron bodies of the box. By means of this arrangement it is possible to arrange a number of magnet fields closely together side by side without any relative influence between them as the interposed brass serves as a screen. The iron insertions consists of two rin segments each of which is opposite a magnet pole. The ends of the segments must not abut so as to avoid a magnetic short circuit by the segments.-

The brass tube F reduced at the middle, is inserted between the ends of the steel tube F by bolted flanges. The reduced middle portion is on each longitudinal side provided for example with three insertions E of soft iron of which the insertion will be seen from the section shown in Figure 25. Each insertion E is opposite a pole of a magnet m which carries the induction coils S. l/Vhen the travelling box with its iron ring comes between two oppositely disposed segments E the field of the magnets is modified and the corresponding winding induced, the currentthereof serving for the release of a signal or for an operation (setting a switch and the like) The magentic circuit of each magnet is at this moment only closed by iron, namely the insertions E and the ring of the box, and by four very narrow air gaps so that the highest possible sensitiveness of the arrangement is obtained.

In Figure 24 onl one of the magnets is shown and the position of the remaining ones is indicated by dotted centre lines. at in Figure 25 indicates the linings for the magnet poles of dia-magnetic or good electrical conducting material (copper), which limit the magnetic field in the manner previousl explained and screen this from adjacent elds.

I claim r 1. In a carrier system, a guideway, a carrier, a plurality of rings of magnetically active material spaced predetermined distances apart on the carrier, magnetic fields arranged apart on the carrier, magnetic fields arranged at corresponding distances apart on the guidewa y adapted to be simultaneously modified by the rings on the carrier, a local circuit, a plurality of relays each arranged to be energized by current induced by said modification of said magnetic fields, armatures controlled by said relays and arranged in series, and adapted to close said local circuit, and a controlling relay in said local circuit adapted to be energized when said circuit is closed. that the magnetic circuit, lrrespective of alr 3. ln a carrier system, a guideway, a carrier, a plurality of rings of magnetically active material spaced predetermined distances apart on the carrier, magnetic fields arranged at corresponding distances apart on the guideway adapted to be simultaneously modified by the rings on the carrier, a local circuit, a cathode tube, the conductor circuits of which are connected with said magneticfields, and a controlling relay for said local circuit connected with the plate circuit of said cathode tube and adapted to be energized thereby to control said local circuit, said cathode tube being responsive only to the simultaneous modification of the said magnetic fields.

4. A carrier system according to claim 3 in which the winding of one of said magnetic fields arranged to be modified by one of said carrier rings is connected with the grid circuit of said cathode tube, and the winding of another of said magnetic fields arranged to be modified by another of said carrier rings is connected with the anode circuit of said tube, a'bat-tery in said first named connection, and a controlling relay in said second connection.

5. A carrier system according to claim 3, in which the induced windings of two simultaneously modified magnetic fields are ar ranged in two grid circuits of the same cathode tube. v I

6. A carrier system according to claim 3, in which the induced winding of one magnetic field is arranged in the grid ciicuit of one cathode tube, the induced Winding of asecond magnetic field is arranged in one of the circuits of a second cathode tube, which is arranged in series with the first, and a controlling relay arranged in the anode circuit of said second cathode tube.

7. A carrier system according to claim 3, in which the induced winding of one magnetic field is arranged in the rid circuit ofone cathode tube, the induce winding of a second magnetic field is arranged in one of the circuits of a second cathode tube, which is arranged in series with the first, a third tube in cascade with the second and acting as an amplifier, and a controlling relay arranged in the anode circuit of said amplifier tube.

' 8. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which the rings of the carriers are adjustable to different distances apart.

9. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which for the purpose of prolonging the action transmitted by the travelling carrier to the receiver a row of magnetic fields are so arranged adjacent to the guideway that they co-operate in rapid sequence one after another with the same magnetically active rings of the carrier.

10. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which for the purpose of prolonging the action transmitted by the travelling carrier to the receiver a row of magnetic fields are so arranged adjacent to the guideway that they co-operate in rapid sequence one after another with the same magnetically active rings of the carrier, and in which each magnetic field as regards its co-operat-ionwi'th the magnetically active rings of the carrier forms successively the effective part of two pairs of magnetic fields connected one after the other.

11. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which for the purpose of prolonging the action transmitted by the travelling carrier to the receiver a row of magnetic fields are so arranged adjacent to the guideway that they co-operate in rapid sequence one after another with the same magnetically activerings of the carrier, .and in which pairs of magnetic fields are arranged so as to interengage with one another in such a manner that the fields have a shorter interval between them than the magnetically active rings of the carrier.

12. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which the currents simultaneously induced in two coils are added together directly in a relay circuit or are multiplied in a rotary field system.

13. A carrier system according to claim 1,

in which the currents simultaneously induced in two coils are added togethervdirectly in a relay circuit or are multiplied in a rotary field system, and in which the simultaneously induced coils of two permanent magnets are arranged in series with a relay of which the armature releases the desired action.

14. A carrier system according toclaim 1,

in which the currents simultaneously induced in two coils are added together directly in a relay circuit or are multiplied in a rotary field system, and in which the simultaneously induced coils of two permanent magnets are arranged in series with a relay of which the armature releases the desired action, and in which the cores of the simultaneously active ma nets in addition to each being provided wit windings which convey the induction currents and which are arranged in series I others.

15. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which the currents simultaneously induced in two coils are added together directly in a relay circuit or are multiplied in a rotary field system, and in which the simultaneously induced windings of the magnets each supply their current to an energizing or disturbing winding of a rotary field system.

16. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which the energizing windings of electromagnets are connected in an economizing circuit to the two circuits co-operating to effect the release of the receiving apparatus.

17 A carrier system according to claim 1, in which the guideway, otherwise consisting of steel, is provided with a brass tube insert in registry with the magnetic fields.

18. A carrier system according to claim. 1,

in which the guideway, otherwise consisting of steel, is provided with a brass tube insert in registry with the magnetic fields, and in which for the purpose 0 said magnet is closed by iron and air alone.

20. A carrier system according to claim 1, in which the pole pieces of the field magnets are lined on both sides with a predetermined dia-magnetic material.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

' WALTHER HARLANDT.

reducing the mag- 'netic resistance'in the field of the magnets, 

